Cofran's Texas . . . Hill Country Portal

A Powerful Information Database & Gateway Service for the Texas Hill Country

Focus Topic Profile For:

UTILITY & TELECOM SERVICE PROVIDERSIN THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

This page is a handy reference for utility, telecom and related services in the Hill Country.

The 1-800 & 1-866 & 1-877 numbers are all toll free.

Most broadband internet provider allow use of their networks for "Voice Over IP" (VOIP) service whereby basic, non-emergency telephone network access can be obtained through use of special devices connected to their networks.

NOTE: TEXAS ELECTRIC CHOICE: Texans have the choice for their preferred Retail Electric Provider (REP), which is a company that may compete to provide the electricity to you. Your local utility company will continue to deliver that power to you safely and reliably through the same lines in use today. For additional information about your rights, your options and about protections provided for you, see www.powertochoose.org or 1-866-PWR-4-TEX.

AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER (AEP): 877-373-4858; www.aeptexas.com. An energy delivery company that serves businesses and industry across its nearly 100,000 square mile service territory in south and west Texas. Service Coverage Map

CENTERPOINT ENERGY: HQ: 800-427-7142; Report a Gas Leak: 888-876-5786. www.centerpointenergy.com. Electrical and piped natural gas services. Service area from Austin to San Antonio along IH-35 in the Hill Country (and beyond, SE to the Gulf Coast). Service Coverage Map. Nearest service office: Kyle, 512-392-6672

PROPANE PROVIDERS IN THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

Propane typically is delivered by truck to tanks located at the customers premises. These services are regionally-oriented based on the driving range from their distribution centers.

NOTES: A number of providers offer bundled digital services, including internet access, phone service, TV service and more. This is most often based on a digital infrastructure, including a combination of technologies such as fiber, coax, microwave, etc. Check with each provider to determine the extent of their integrated digital product/services options and geographic service areas.

NOTES: The following ISP's provide broadband internet access. Cell phone service providers usually also offer cellular network-based internet access service using "air cards" or similar wireless devices. Dial-up, modem-based land line access services are not presented here. Many of these companies provide a variety of services and technologies for internet access. Also see above carriers.

NOTES: Wireless delivery means in this case that a microwave radio signal transports the data through the air from your location to the provider's tower. Line-of-sight is required from customer location to provider's communication tower. A small microwave antenna mounted at suitable height is required at customer location such that line-of-sight can be obtained to their tower. Note, other radio-based wireless services (such as cellular and 3G/4G networks) exist but are typically found only in large metropolitan areas such as Austin and San Antonio.

CLEAR: 888-888-3113; www.clearwire.com. Provides state-of-the-art, high-speed, 4G, broadband service to mobile wireless data devices. Service Coverage Area Map. In the Hill Country area, coverage is focused on the metro areas of Austin and San Antonio, as well as Lakeway, Buda, San Marcos, and New Braunfels.

TEXAS DATA: 512-264-8787; 888-839-3282; 2301 Lost Creek Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620. www.texasdata.net. Serves the Texas Hill Country W of Austin. Provides high-speed, microwave-based wireless internet access to businesses and residents not served by broadband services such as cable or DSL. Primary service area includes the full Lake Travis area, and extends along TX-71 from Bee Cave to Spicewood, south along US 290 from Cedar Valley to Dripping Springs and Henly. Service Coverage Area Map

NOTES: WiMax 4G wireless technology is a fixed wireless technology that provide basic internet connectivity to residential and business users. WiMAX: "Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. WiMAX is a wireless digital communications system, also known as IEEE 802.16, that is intended for wireless "metropolitan area networks". WiMAX is an IP based, wireless broadband access technology that provides performance similar to 802.11/Wi-Fi networks with the coverage and quality of service of cellular networks. WiMAX can provide broadband wireless access (BWA) up to 30 miles for fixed stations, and 10 miles for mobile stations.

WATER & SEWER SERVICE PROVIDERS IN THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

NOTES: Water & sewer services are almost always provided by local city and municipal utility districts or customer owned and maintained private systems. See local contacts on a per city basis. Select city at: Index.

LOWER COLORADO RIVER AUTHORITY (LCRA): 800-776-5272; 3700 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703. www.lcra.org. LCRA manages the Highland Lakes and Colorado River as a system to supply water for more than 1 million people as well as businesses, industries, the environment and, when available, agriculture in the lower Colorado River basin. LCRA provides a multitude of vital services to Texans, including delivering electricity, managing the water supply and environment of the lower Colorado River basin, providing public recreation areas, and supporting community development. Lakeside residents who pump water from the Highland Lakes must have a contract with LCRA (or other legal authorization) to take water from the lakes under state law. LCRA sold its retail water and wastewater systems. Corix purchased the majority of them, including some Highland Lakes area systems. See Corix above.

NOTES: The above newspapers are the two major, neighboring metropolitan papers available for street delivery to much of the Hill Country, and available to all by postal mailing. For Hill Country originated city-oriented newspapers, see our City profile. Select city at: Index

For a comprehensive list of printed media (newspapers, magazines, focus publications) and broadcast media (AM & FM stations) in the Hill Country, see Hill Country Media

If you have any projects planned that require digging 16 inches or deeper, call at least 2 days ahead of time so trained professionals can come and mark all underground lines on your property. It is the best way to stay save, and it is the law: